It’s that time of year again when newspapers and children’s book review journals name the best books of the year. School Library Journal, Horn Book, Publisher’s Weekly, The New York Times and Kirkus Reviews have all published their lists of the notable books of 2012. In comparing the lists, there are just a few books that emerge consistently across lists.

Picture Books

The picture book This is Not my Hat by Jon Klassen was named a top book of 2012 by all 5 of the lists. This funny, slightly dark story of a small fish who steals the hat of a larger fish is also considered to be a contender for the 2013 Caldecott Award.

Liar & Spy by Rebecca Stead also appeared on 5 different “best of” lists. Seventh-grader Georges adjusts to moving from a house to an apartment, his father's efforts to start a new business, his mother's extra shifts as a nurse, being picked on at school, and Safer, a boy who wants his help spying on another resident of their building.

There were no nonfiction books that were listed on all 5 sources. Several were named by 3 different lists including Island: A Story of the Galapagos by Jason Chin, Chuck Close: Face Book by Chuck Close and Beyond Courage: The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust by Doreen Rappaport.

Wilmington Memorial Library offers you an opportunity to honor or memorialize beloved family members and friends by a making a gift to the library in their names. Details and a donation form are available here.

The fall issue of Star Mag is ready! It contains artwork, puzzles, and stories all created by kids, ages 8 and up. Click here to read the Fall 2012 issue of Star Mag. Printed copies are available in the Children's Room.

We will be working on the winter issue at our next meeting on December 12 at 3:30 pm. All kids ages 8 and up are invited to come help. There will be laptops, markers, crayons, and other materials to inspire creativity. Kids unable to attend the meetings can drop off original artwork, stories, poems, book recommendations or other contributions in the Children’s Room, or email to braab@mvlc.org.